Department for Transport

Railways: Temperature

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking toensure railways are resilient to future heatwaves.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: My Department has plans in place and underway to adapt to and mitigate the risks of climate change. The Williams-Shapps plan for Rail includes a priority for long-term investment in climate resilience supported by smarter forecasting, planning and technology.Network Rail (NR) and the wider rail industry are also working to improve our resilience to climate change impacts and other disruptive events. They are developing a risk-based approach to resilience planning, enabling a focus on those risks and assets that are key to delivering safety and performance improvements for passengers and freight users in a cost-effective manner.Lessons from the hot summers over the past few years have been implemented including a maintenance programme preparing infrastructure for summer. The experience of the last few days has shown that there is more to do. Our infrastructure is not designed to operate in these extreme conditions, so NR have prioritised safety. Engineering standards are being reviewed with a view to enabling assets to better handle hotter temperatures (and other changes in the climate) and lessen the need to reduce services to manage risk.NR’s Third Adaptation Report details the wide range of other adaptation work undertaken since 2015 and lays out action plans going forward.At an industry level the Rail Resilience Project (RRP), which commenced its delivery phase in April 2022, will deliver on the conclusions and nine recommendations from a cross-industry Rail Resilience Review undertaken in Q1 & 2 2021. It will deliver for the first time a coherent industry doctrine across the full emergency management lifecycle. It will be supported by guidance on implementation, a full competency framework for emergency management professionals and structures to improve governance across the industry and engagement with partners.

Roads: Weather

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have given to local authorities on preventing roads melting in the extreme heat.

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional funding they are providing to local authorities to enable them to prevent roads melting in the extreme heat.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: As per section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, it is up to the respective local highway authority to decide how best they maintain their highway network, including during heatwaves, based on local needs and priorities. The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA), who work closely with the Department for Transport and are members of the UK Roads Liaison Group (UKRLG), advised highway authorities and road operators that applying granite grit dust on the road surface during high temperatures can help keep the highway network from melting excessively.The Government has committed £915 million per year for local highways maintenance for local highway authorities outside London and Mayoral Combined Authorities, for the three years starting 2022-23. This represents a highways maintenance funding level consistent with 2021/22. The three-year settlement will enable local highway authorities to plan more effectively for managing their highways assets, preventing potholes and other road defects across their local highway networks.

Freight: Trade

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether additional access will be provided to freight operators to support UK businesses trade internationally.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Access for EU and UK freight operators to one another’s markets is governed by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) There are no restrictions on freight movements between the UK and EU. Once an international laden journey has been completed, a UK operator can make two freight movements in a 7 day period within the EU, one of which may be within a single EU country. EU operators can make up to two movements in a 7 day period in the UK following an international laden journey. The Government has no plans to renegotiate the TCA at this time.

Air Pollution: Urban Areas

Baroness Merron: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure thatfine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution whichis generated from vehicle tyres and breaks is controlled in towns and cities.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The development of regulations to limit emissions from tyre and brake wear depends on the development of an internationally recognised test procedure for measuring them. This issue is being examined by the UN ECE Particle Measurement Programme (PMP), which includes DfT officials, other international governments, and the automotive industry. DfT is one of the founders of PMP and has played a leading role since its inception. To support the work of the PMP group further, DfT commissioned a 3-year research project in February 2021 aimed at understanding better the measurement techniques, material properties and control parameters of tyre and brake wear emissions from road vehicles. This project will inform policy and legislation aiming at reducing these emissions on a domestic and international level. Furthermore, Government is continuing to invest through Innovate UK grants in emerging technologies which reduce non-exhaust emissions.

Hammersmith Bridge Task Force

Baroness Kramer: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Hammersmith Bridge Task Force will next meet; and when the agenda for that meeting will be published.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The focus for the Government, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, and TfL is delivering and monitoring the stabilisation works and developing a business case for the second stage of works. A further meeting of the Taskforce will be considered when members put forward substantive agenda items for discussion. The Taskforce publishes a report of each meeting on the Government website.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Retail Trade: Sales

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to address falling retail sales.

Lord Callanan: The Government recognises that the rising cost of living has presented additional financial challenges to many consumers, reducing their spending power and impacting retail sales. On 26th May, the Government announced a Cost of Living package, providing over £15bn of support targeted particularly at those with the greatest need. This package builds on the over £22bn already announced, bringing total government support for the Cost of Living to over £37bn this year. The Retail Sector Council continues to work on the strategic issues facing the sector.

Energy: Prices

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to tackle rising energy prices.

Lord Callanan: The Government has announced an exceptional support package worth £37billion this year to shield consumers from the worst impacts of volatile international energy markets this coming winter. The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) will also deliver a £400 non-repayable grant to eligible households to help with energy bills from October.

Science: Finance

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the change in the level of collaborative scientific funding for UK organisations if the UK does not participate in the Horizon Europe programme, and (2) reports that the UK is losing out on £100 million as a result of not participating; and what assessment they have made of the reasons for any reduction in funding.

Lord Callanan: The UK stands ready to formalise our association to EU programmes at the earliest opportunity but the EU are not honouring commitments made when the TCA was agreed. Spending Review 21 confirmed that if we are unable to associate to Horizon Europe, the funding allocated will go to other UK Government-funded R&D programmes, including those to support international partnerships. The Government is providing the fastest ever sustained uplift in R&D funding, reaching £20 billion per annum by the end of the SR period – £5 billion more than 2021/2022 with HM Treasury committed to £22 billion in 2026/2027 as part of our commitment to the target of UK economy-wide R&D investment reaching 2.4% of GDP by 2027.

Department for Education

Arts: Higher Education

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the article 'News & campaigns' in the Incorporated Society of Musicians July/August 2022 music journal; and what assessment they have made of the concerns expressed in that article that proposals to reform Higher Education courses "will cause particular harm to arts courses, as well as damaging the government's own levelling-up agenda".

Baroness Barran: The higher education (HE) reforms, to which the Incorporated Society of Musicians article refers, were subject to consultation earlier this year. The consultation outlined proposals for controls to prevent the growth of low-quality courses with poor outcomes and sought views on what was a fair and appropriate level at which to potentially set a minimum eligibility requirement for access to student finance for degree-level study. The consultation period has now concluded and we are considering the views submitted. The government will respond in due course.The article concentrates on the government’s proposal to prevent the growth of low-quality courses. If implemented, all areas of HE would be considered, including creative arts, humanities, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses, to inform an assessment of which provision offers the best outcomes. Our focus would be on courses which are of the lowest quality. Supporting students onto high-quality HE courses, that will offer them good outcomes, ensures that students, of all backgrounds, are not misdirected or encouraged towards courses that are unlikely to provide high-quality outcomes and good value for money. This will support levelling up.

Universities: Freedom of Expression

Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the action required to safeguard universities as places of (1) free speech, and (2) challenging ideas.

Baroness Barran: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The government supports free speech which generates rigorous debate and advances understanding.It is the freedom to think independently, express and challenge ideas, and put forward lawful, new and controversial ideas, that makes our universities world-renowned. These are essential skills in a modern, forward-facing society. It is this freedom that the government strives to protect.The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill has been introduced for this reason. The bill will strengthen existing freedom of speech duties and directly address gaps within the existing law. The bill also applies the duties directly to students’ unions and constituent colleges, including those at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.The changes will introduce clear consequences for breaches of the new duties and ensure that these principles are upheld.The bill is currently passing through the House of Lords.

Universities

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plansthey have toencourage universities to advertise (1) subject drop-out, and (2) employment, rates for courses.

Baroness Barran: Students should be made fully aware of subject completion rates and graduate outcomes data, so that they can make meaningful decisions about what course to take and where to study.On 1 July 2022, the department published guidance asking higher education providers to improve the transparency and consistency of advertising at provider and subject level. Published guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transparency-in-advertising-for-higher-education-providers.We expect that providers will incorporate this data into any newly commissioned advertising, as it is right that applicants are made aware of it before they commit to applying for a particular course or institution.

Ministers: Conduct

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education broke the Ministerial Code by raising her middle finger to a crowd outside Downing Street on 7 July.

Baroness Barran: The government recognises how important professional conduct, ethical standards and appropriate behaviour are in setting a good example for our children and young people. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, is similarly clear that MPs and those in government should be held to the highest standards.My hon. Friend, the Minister for Skills, Further and Higher Education has acknowledged that she should have shown more composure and regrets that her behaviour fell short of expected standards on this occasion.

School Meals

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what data they collect on the compliance of relevant secondary schools with the Requirements for School Food Regulations 2014.

Baroness Barran: The department does not collect any centralised data on compliance with the school food standards in schools across England. However, the department is running a joint project with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to design and test a new approach to help ensure compliance with the school food standards in England. This will help to build new evidence and understanding around this.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Shaun Pinner

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last had contact with Shaun Pinner, currently being held by the Donetsk People’s Republic; what assessment they have made of his health; and what conversations are ongoing concerning his release.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are actively working on the cases of British Nationals who have been detained in non-government held areas of Ukraine, including Shaun Pinner, and are providing support to their families. The UK Government is in constant contact with the Ukrainian authorities on this issue as a matter of urgency and is fully supportive of all their efforts to secure the release of the detainees. We have raised concerns with the Russian authorities about British detainees and reminded them of their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.

Syria: Refugees

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the establishment of a joint Lebanon, Syria, and UN Committee to oversee the return of refugees to Syria; and what plans they have to call on the Committee to ensure that all returns are voluntary.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK recognises the generosity shown by neighbouring countries in the region who are hosting so many Syrian refugees. Whilst we hope that Syria refugees will ultimately be able to return home, the UK agrees with the UN judgement that conditions in Syria do not currently allow this. In light of recent announcements from the Government of Lebanon on its plan for the return of Syrian refugees, we urge that international law is respected and that any refugee returns are voluntary, safe and dignified. This is only likely to happen at scale in the event of a credible and inclusive political settlement. The UK will continue to support Syria's neighbours to deal with the destabilising impact of the Syrian conflict, equipping host communities, and enabling Syrian refugees to remain in the region until they can return safely to Syria.

Yazidis: Genocide

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Yazidi Justice Committee State Responsibility and the Genocide of the Yazidis, published on 6 July; and what steps they plan to take in response.

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further tothe report by the Yazidi Justice Committee State Responsibility and the Genocide of the Yazidis, published on 6 July, what plans they have to prevent anyacts in contraventionof the Genocide Convention from being carried out against the Yazidis.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We note the Yazidi Justice Committee's report on "State Responsibility and the Yazidi Genocide". The UK is supporting the Government of Iraq to take the necessary actions to secure justice for victims of Daesh's crimes in Iraq, including the Yazidis. The UK advocated strongly for the passing of the Yazidi Survivors Law in March 2021 and continues to advocate for the work of the Directorate of Yazidi Affairs, which is responsible for providing reparations to survivors and supporting judicial bodies hold perpetrators to account. UK Ministers regularly raise the importance of full implementation of the Yazidi Survivors law with the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government, most recently by me in the week 4 July. In parallel, we have also provided £2 million to the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD).

Yazidis: Genocide

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Yazidi Justice Committee State Responsibility and the Genocide of the Yazidis, published on 6 July, what steps they will take if Syria does not punish the perpetrators of genocideresident in that country; andwhat plans they have, if any, to urge the UN Security Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court.

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Yazidi Justice Committee State Responsibility and the Genocide of the Yazidis, published on 6 July, what steps they are taking to urge Syria to enact domestic legislation to ensure that the Genocide Convention is upheld in that country.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is committed to highlighting the appalling violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Syria and to pursuing accountability for the most serious crimes. We use our position at the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council and our leadership of the regular Syria resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council to draw international attention to the ongoing human rights violations and abuses in Syria, and consistently call for Syria to abide by international human rights conventions and norms. The UK Government supports efforts to pursue accountability for the most serious crimes committed in Syria, including through the UN Commission of Inquiry and the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism with which we signed an Memorandum of Understanding in March this year. These bodies were established with the express purpose of inquiring into and investigating potential war crimes. The UK has previously voted at the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court but such action has been blocked by Russia and China.

Yazidis: Genocide

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Yazidi Justice Committee State Responsibility and the Genocide of the Yazidis, published on 6 July, what plans they have to use dispute resolution mechanisms such as the International Court of Justice to ensure that (1) Syria, (2) Iraq, and (3) Turkey, adhere to their responsibilities under the Genocide Convention.

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Yazidi Justice CommitteeState Responsibility and the Genocide of the Yazidis, published on 6 July; and in particular, the conclusion that Syria failed in its obligation to (1) prevent, and (2) punish, genocides against the Yazidis; and what steps they are taking to hold Syriato account.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We note the findings from the Yazidi Justice Committee report. The UK is supporting the Government of Iraq to take the necessary actions to secure justice for the Yazidi people and many other victims of Daesh's crimes. We regularly emphasise the need for dialogue and cooperation between Turkey and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to combat terrorism, ensure regional security, and protect civilians including religious and ethnic minorities.We will continue to use our position at the UN, including as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and our leadership of the regular Syria resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council to draw international attention to the ongoing human rights violations and abuses in Syria, to raise situations of concern and to deploy all appropriate tools available to the UN in dealing with potential mass atrocities. Our focus is always on securing an end to violence, protecting civilians and calling for accountability.

Ethiopia: Human Rights

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they have provided to (1) the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, and (2) the UN Human Rights Council's International Commissionof Experts, to investigate conflict-related sexual violence in Ethiopia, following the publication of the joint report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Office of the United Nations High CommissionerJoint Investigation into Alleged Violations of International Human Rights, Humanitarian and Refugee Law Committed by all Parties to the Conflict in the Tigray Region of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,published on 3 November 2021.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is a strong supporter of the work of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE). We co-sponsored the resolution mandating its creation at the Special Session of the Human Rights Council in December 2021. We will be strongly supporting the renewal of the Commission's mandate at the forthcoming 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council. We are urging all parties to facilitate its investigations. The UK supported the inclusion of Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) in the ICHREE mandate. We have raised CRSV with the Government of Ethiopia and other parties to the conflict and will continue to do so.The UK's new Human Rights and Peacebuilding programme is providing support to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to enhance its investigative capacity and improve the availability and accessibility of services for survivors of gender-based violence.The UK will continue to support the work of the EHRC, the ICHREE, and of the wider UN in its efforts to ensure that those responsible for the atrocities committed during the conflict in northern Ethiopia, including instances of conflict-related sexual violence, are held to account .

Ethiopia: Sexual Offences

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the expert from the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative deployed to Ethiopia in June 2021.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Our Embassy in Addis Ababa is working with organisations in Ethiopia to implement the recommendations from the scoping mission by the UK's Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Team of Experts in summer 2021. This includes new programme funding to support women's rights-focused organisations to step-up support services to survivors of violence; new research into the drivers and dynamics of conflict-related sexual violence; and improved coordination of the international response to gender based violence. We have deployed a Gender Based Violence Adviser to our Embassy in Addis Ababa to ensure that gender is integrated into humanitarian and human rights programming. A member of the PSVI Team of Experts is currently providing training on responding to Conflict Related Sexual Violence to Ethiopian civil society organisations.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, as outlined in the National Report ahead of the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, they will hold regular engagement with Parliamentarians to increase understanding and awareness of the UK’s nuclear deterrence and disarmament policy, and provide opportunity for dialogue.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We value our engagement with UK Parliamentarians on the UK's nuclear deterrence and disarmament policy, and will continue to offer briefings, including with relevant Parliamentary Committees. The Government provides annual updates to Parliament on the progress of the Dreadnought Class submarine programme and other related Defence Nuclear Enterprise programmes. The most recent report was published on 16 December 2021.

Ministry of Defence

Destroyers and Frigates

Lord Trefgarne: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) destroyers, and (2) frigates, are presently available for service with the Royal Navy.

Baroness Goldie: Six Destroyers and twelve Frigates are in-service with the Royal Navy. They rotate through operational deployments, exercises and periods of planned maintenance. At present, of the six Destroyers, four are available for operations with the remainder in long term refit. Of the twelve Frigates, eight are available for operations with the remainder in long term refit.

Syria: Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to President Erdogan of Turkey threatening tolaunch a new military operation in Syria, what plans they have to suspend military cooperation with Turkey until the operation is renounced.

Baroness Goldie: In light of recent public statements, we are concerned about any potential military escalation in Northern Syria, which risks impacting the stability and security of the region, international efforts to defeat Daesh, and the already fragile humanitarian situation.We continue to monitor the situation closely and to assess what impact military escalation in Syria might have.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Antimicrobials: Pollution Control

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) monitoring, and (2) mitigation, strategiesthey have put in place for environmental pollution by (a) metal nanoparticles, and (b) the bacteria resistant to these antimicrobial metal nanoparticles.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Whilst the Environment Agency (EA) does not have environmental monitoring in place specifically targeting metal nanoparticles, it is keeping a watching brief on innovative monitoring approaches and environmental effects. Although the science associated with environmental analysis for nanoparticles (and their associated effects) is in development, the EA has considered a number of nanoparticles through its Prioritisation and Early Warning System (PEWS). To date, the EA has considered titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, cerium dioxide, copper oxide and copper carbonate nanoparticles through PEWS.

Public Footpaths

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the existing institutional framework in England for waymarking (1) long distance trails, and (2) local footpaths.

Lord Benyon: Effective waymarking and signage has been consistently identified as an essential component in the maintenance of public rights of ways improving access and providing a better experience for all users. Local authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of public rights of way including the appropriate use of signage in accordance with published guidance. No overall assessment of the condition of signage and waymarking has been undertaken however such assessments may form part of local authorities’ rights of way improvement plans. Signage for National Trails is covered by national trail quality standards where there is a requirement to make constant improvements to individual Trails and its associated routes. Monitoring information on the assessment of the condition of path surfaces and structures including signage is reported annually.

Development Aid: Biodiversity

Lord Randall of Uxbridge: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to use Official Development Assistance funds to support countries to deliver an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity; and if so, how.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK has committed to spend at least £3bn of International Climate Finance between 2021/22 and 2025/26 on development solutions that protect and restore nature. As set out in the Government’s recently published International Development Strategy, the UK is also taking steps to ensure UK bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) overall becomes ‘nature positive’, aligning with the international goal to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, and the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, once agreed. Defra is implementing a range of ODA funded programmes, including some ICF funded activities, to support developing countries to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. These include: the £100m Biodiverse Landscapes Fund, supporting improved management of six highly biodiverse landscapes worldwide; an expanded Darwin Initiative (£93.75m) funding conservation projects and building capacity in developing countries; work to tackle the Illegal Wildlife Trade which is a key driver of biodiversity loss (£30m); the UK’s Blue Planet Fund (£500m), supporting developing countries to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems; and a new Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (up to £40m) to deliver R&D on policy solutions for climate challenges through action on biodiversity. In addition, we are scoping potential further work to support developing countries in meeting the draft Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30x30 target to protect and restore critical ecosystems.

Home Office

British Nationality: Assessments

Lord Rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Home Office on 8 February 2021 (HC 144733), how it was possible for an individual to take the Life in the UK test 118 times in 2015 and 2016 when government guidance says that applicants must wait 7 days before taking the test again.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Life in the UK testing is provided and hosted by PSI Services (UK) Limited who operate a self-booking process and candidates are able to book tests in multiple slots; they are not limited by the system as to how frequently a test can be taken. We are aware the guidance on gov.uk advises candidates:You must wait 7 days before taking the test again, but you can take the test as many times as you need to. However, this is guidance and not a requirement so we will update the wording to reflect this.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Refugees: Ukraine

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Harrington of Watford on 13 July (HL1433), why the response given in that answer does not also appear on the gov.uk page 'Afghan citizens resettlement scheme'.

Lord Harrington of Watford: We are looking into updating the page in question so that UK phone numbers are not needed in order to receive updates on to the gov.uk page on Afghan Resettlement.

Cabinet Office

Privy Council

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the decision to reduce the size of the Accession Council and to hold a ballot also applies to Privy Councillors from (1) Commonwealth, or (2) other countries.

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Accession Council on the death of the Sovereign could be held in Westminster Hall; and if not, why not.

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultations were undertaken by the Privy Council with Privy Councillors prior to the decision to reduce the size of the Accession Council.

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the decision to reduce the size of the Accession Council and to hold an annual ballot of Privy Councillors only applies to the next meeting of the Accession Council or whether annual ballots will continue thereafter.

Lord True: The decision not to summons all Privy Counsellors to the next Accession Council, and to hold a ballot of Privy Counsellors not eligible to attend on an ex officio basis, was taken with the collective agreement of the Lord President of the Council and Number 10. The Royal Household was also consulted on the basis of this collective advice. This decision-making process is consistent with the decision-making process for previous Accession Councils.The decision to reduce the size of the Accession Council and to hold a ballot for those ineligible to attend on an ex officio basis applies to all Privy Councillors, regardless of their nationality or their usual place of residence.St. James’s Palace is the senior Royal Palace in the United Kingdom and the Court of St. James is the Royal Court to which all Realm High Commissioners are accredited. St. James’s Palace has therefore long been agreed to be the most appropriate setting for the Accession Council.In any case, Westminster Hall will not be available to host the Accession Council because an intensive and time critical series of works will begin on the Parliamentary estate, including Westminster Hall, as soon as Demise is announced. The purpose of these works is to prepare the estate and surrounding areas for significant elements of ceremonial and procedural activity. Hosting the Accession Council in Westminster Hall would prevent the completion of these critical works, resulting in significant disruption to other national activity.Attendance at an Accession Council is not a statutory matter and there is no constitutional requirement to consult Privy Counsellors on any amendments to attendance arrangements.Decisions on attendance arrangements for future Accession Councils will be taken at the appropriate time.

Department for International Trade

Trade Promotion: India

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) status, and (2) timetable, for the conclusion of a free trade agreement with India; and whether the (a) sectorial, and (b) regional, diversity in India will be included in that agreement.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: HM Government will soon conclude round 5 of negotiations, which is taking place from 18th-29th July. Both countries have committed to concluding the majority of talks on a comprehensive trade deal by Diwali in October 2022. We are in detailed discussions on text and are confident in our progress as we work towards a comprehensive deal for the whole of the United Kingdom.We are negotiating with the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, responsible for negotiating trade deals on behalf of the Government of India.

Women and Equalities

LGBTQ+ People: Finance

Baroness Barker: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to place the UK as a leading funder of LGBT+ rights.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: As a country with a proud history on LGBT equality, and with one of the world’s most comprehensive and robust legislative frameworks, the UK Government continues to be a leading funder of work to protect LGBT rights.The Government has provided over £6 million in funding to prevent and respond to bullying in schools, including LGBT-related bullying, of which £1 million was announced this year. The Government continues to invest in relevant healthcare, including over £20 million to deliver the HIV Action Plan with the goal of eradicating new transmissions in the UK by 2030. We are providing up to £360,000 for the new conversion practices support service; have extended funding for the existing LGBT domestic abuse helpline with an uplift of £80,000 for 2022/23; and last year we provided £2 million for specialist ‘by and for’ victim support organisations, including LGBT victim services.Internationally, in June, we announced a further £2.7 million to support human rights defenders and advance equalities and freedom across the Commonwealth. Since taking over as Chair-In-Office in 2018, the Government has invested over £11 million in the promotion and protection of LGBT rights across the Commonwealth.